Coastal processes that pose hazards to shoreline infrastructure include waves, currents, and tsunamis. These processes can erode the shoreline and inundate low-lying coastal areas. Sea-level rise is likely to accelerate by the middle of this century and will exacerbate coastal erosion and inundation, with the greatest effects during extreme storms. In this seminar we review the science that underpins damaging coastal processes, discuss impacts to infrastructure, review risk assessment methods, and examine potential mitigation measures and their advantages and disadvantages.

The seminar comprises two components. The first component, delivered by John Clague, is a summary and discussion of the physical processes that pose hazards to coastal development, including shore erosion and inundation of low-lying coastlines during severe storms, sea-level rise, and tsunamis.

The second component, delivered by Eric Morris, will focus on impacts to coastlines and coastal communities and infrastructure. Mr. Morris will review potential impacts to shorelines, seawalls, piers, docks, breakwaters, and sewers, and then review regulatory requirements for determination of design water levels. He will then review risk assessment methods for mapping future inundation, erosion, and damage and for determining hazard levels and vulnerability to sea level rise. He will then provide an overview of mitigation methods for various infrastructure types and review their advantages and disadvantages.

Seminar Objectives

The objectives of the seminar are to (1) raise participants’ awareness of natural coastal hazards, (2) consider changes in risk associated with the anticipated rise in sea level as the century progresses, and (3) look at ways to assess risk and reduce risk through mitigation.

Speakers

John Clague, P.Geo.,

Professor Emeritus at Simon Fraser University

John Clague is Professor Emeritus at Simon Fraser University. Clague worked as a Research Scientist with the Geological Survey of Canada from 1975 until 1998. In 1998 he accepted a faculty position in Department of Earth Sciences at Simon Fraser University, where he was the Canada Research Chair in Natural Hazard Research. He is Director of the Centre for Natural Hazard Research at SFU. Clague has published over 200 papers in 50 different journals on a range of earth science disciplines, including glacial geology, geomorphology, stratigraphy, sedimentology, and natural hazards, and has consulted for several private-sector firms and government agencies. Clague’s other principle professional interest is improving public awareness of earth science by making relevant geoscience information available to students, teachers, and the general public. He has written two popular books on the geology and geologic hazards of southwest British Columbia, and a textbook on natural hazards. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, former President of the Geological Association of Canada, and Past-President of the International Union for Quaternary Research. He is recipient of the Geological Society of America Burwell Award, the Royal Society of Canada Bancroft Award, Engineers and Geoscientists BC’s 2001 and 2005 Innovation Editorial Board Awards, the Geological Association of Canada’s (GAC) 2006 E.R.W Neale Medal, and GAC’s 2007 Logan Medal and 2012 Ambrose Medal. He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Waterloo in 2017. Clague was the 2007–2008 Richard Jahns Distinguished Lecturer for the Geological Society of America and Association of Environmental and Engineering Geology.

Eric Morris, P.Eng.,

Senior Hydrotechnical Engineer at Kerr Wood Leidal

Eric Morris is a Senior Hydrotechnical Engineer with 18 years of experience in the consulting engineering industry working for municipal and industrial clients. He obtained his master’s degree in coastal and ocean engineering from the University of British Columbia in 1999. He was employed by Westmar Consultants from 1998–2004 and has been employed by Kerr Wood Leidal Associates from 2004 to present.

Eric has been involved in a wide range of hydrotechnical engineering projects ranging from coastal and ocean engineering to drainage system and pumping station design.

Eric’s coastal engineering experience includes extreme value analysis of wind, wave, and water level data, wave and storm surge modelling, erosion assessment, design of erosion control including seawalls, concrete armour units, riprap, gabions and beach nourishment, and design of rubblemound and floating breakwaters, floating berths and bridges. His municipal engineering experience includes planning, design and construction of drainage, sewer and water distribution infrastructure.

Eric’s diverse experience in both coastal and municipal infrastructure design has proved to be valuable in the growing field of coastal hazard analysis and analysis of the expected impacts of sea level rise.